How to Write a Sales Resume (with Examples)

A well-crafted sales resume can be the difference between landing an interview and getting overlooked. Sales is a competitive field where hiring managers look for candidates who not only have experience but can also present themselves persuasively on paper. Just like in sales, your resume needs to grab attention quickly, highlight your value, and convince the employer to take action.

Think of your resume as your first pitch to a potential employer. It should clearly show your ability to meet sales targets, build relationships, and close deals. But writing a resume for a sales position isn’t just about listing past jobs—it’s about showcasing achievements in a way that speaks to what hiring managers are looking for.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a sales resume that stands out. You’ll see how to structure it, what details to emphasize, and how to use numbers and strong wording to highlight your success. Whether you’re an experienced sales professional or just starting out, you’ll walk away with an ATS-friendly resume that helps you make a strong first impression.

Sales resume example (Word version)

This sales resume example highlights a candidate with five years. It emphasizes key achievements and showcases a strong mix of skills, including expertise. With a focus on measurable results, this resume positions the candidate as a proven sales professional ready to contribute to the success of a new organization. View more sample resumes by industry.

Download this template

Example sales resume (copy-paste)

Sales resume example in text format. You can copy and paste this to your choice of text editor.

Your Name
Sales Representative
Phone Number | Email Address | City, State | LinkedIn

Professional summary

Results-driven sales professional with five years of experience exceeding revenue targets and driving business growth. Skilled in building client relationships, negotiating high-value deals, and developing strategic sales plans. Proven ability to increase market share, expand customer bases, and close sales in competitive industries. Adept at using CRM software to track leads and optimize sales performance.

Work experience

Senior Sales Representative – XYZ Solutions
New York, NY | June 20XX – Present

• Exceeded annual sales quotas by an average of 25% over three years
• Managed a portfolio of 100+ clients, generating $3M+ in revenue annually
• Developed and implemented sales strategies that increased customer retention by 30%
• Negotiated and closed contracts with high-profile clients, securing long-term partnerships
• Trained and mentored junior sales representatives, improving team performance by 20%

Sales Associate – ABC Technologies
Boston, MA – May 20XX – May 20XX

• Increased regional sales by 40% within one year through targeted outreach and upselling
• Conducted product demonstrations that led to a 35% improvement in client conversion rates
• Built strong relationships with key decision-makers, leading to repeat business and referrals
• Utilized Salesforce to manage leads, track pipeline progress, and analyze sales trends
• Recognized as “Top Sales Performer” for two consecutive quarters

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Texas, 20XX

Certifications

• HubSpot Inbound Sales Certification (20XX)
• Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) (20XX)

Key skills

• Lead generation and prospecting
• Contract negotiation and closing deals
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Sales strategy development
• Data-driven decision-making
• Team leadership and training

Write a compelling summary or objective

The first few lines of your sales resume set the tone for everything that follows. This is where you introduce yourself and give hiring managers a reason to keep reading. Depending on your experience level, you can start with either a summary or an objective.

A summary is ideal if you have several years of sales experience. It highlights your key strengths, career achievements, and what you bring to the table. On the other hand, an objective is better for those new to sales or making a career shift. It focuses on your goals and enthusiasm for the role.

For example, a strong summary might look like this:

“Results-driven sales professional with five years of experience exceeding revenue targets and building lasting client relationships. Proven track record of growing sales pipelines and closing high-value deals. Passionate about leveraging strategic insights to drive business growth.”

If you’re writing an objective, you might say:

“Motivated and ambitious sales associate with a background in customer service and a strong ability to connect with clients. Seeking to apply communication skills and product knowledge to contribute to a dynamic sales team.”

Whatever approach you take, your introduction should be concise, confident, and directly relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Highlight your sales experience effectively

Sales is all about results, and your resume should reflect that. Instead of simply listing job duties, focus on how you made an impact. Employers want to see numbers that show your ability to drive revenue, expand customer bases, and exceed quotas.

For example, rather than saying:

“Managed customer accounts and led sales meetings.”

Try something more results-focused:

“Managed a portfolio of 50+ customer accounts, increasing sales revenue by 30% in one year. Led weekly strategy meetings that resulted in a 15% improvement in team performance.”

Numbers make your contributions tangible. If you’ve exceeded sales targets, brought in new clients, or improved retention rates, those details should be front and center. Even if you’re new to sales, you can highlight transferable experiences, such as customer service roles where you upsold products or improved client satisfaction.

Hiring managers scan resumes quickly, so using bullet points can make your experience section more readable. Each point should showcase a key achievement and use strong action verbs like “negotiated,” “generated,” “closed,” or “expanded.” This ensures that your sales resume not only lists where you’ve worked but also shows why you were valuable in those roles.

Showcase key sales skills

The best sales professionals don’t just know how to sell products—they understand people, trends, and technology. Your sales resume should reflect a mix of hard and soft skills that make you a strong candidate.

Hard skills include things like CRM software, data analysis, and product knowledge. If you’ve used Salesforce, HubSpot, or other sales tools, mention them. Companies want to know that you’re comfortable with the technology they use.

Soft skills, like communication, negotiation, and relationship-building, are just as important. Sales is about persuading people and handling objections smoothly, so highlighting your ability to connect with clients and close deals will make your resume stronger.

Rather than just listing skills in a separate section, weave them into your experience and achievements. For example, instead of saying “strong negotiation skills,” you might say:

“Negotiated contract terms with clients, leading to a 25% increase in repeat business.”

This not only demonstrates your skill but also shows how it translated into real results.

Emphasize sales achievements and awards

A great sales resume doesn’t just tell—it proves. Achievements are what set top sales professionals apart, and including them in your resume gives hiring managers concrete reasons to be interested in you.

Start by thinking about times when you went beyond expectations. Did you exceed your sales quota? Earn recognition for top performance? Land a major client that brought in significant revenue? These are the details that make a resume stand out.

For example, instead of a general statement like:

“Consistently met sales targets.”

Make it specific:

“Exceeded sales targets by 20% for three consecutive quarters, earning Top Sales Performer award.”

Awards are especially valuable because they show that your contributions were recognized. If you’ve won “Salesperson of the Month” or received an industry certification, include it. Even informal recognition, like being chosen to mentor new hires, can add weight to your resume.

When possible, put achievements in a separate section so they’re easy to find. A simple format could be:

Key Achievements:

• Ranked in the top 5% of sales representatives company-wide
• Secured a $500,000 contract with a new client
• Increased regional sales by 40% within one year

Focusing on achievements rather than just responsibilities will strengthen your sales resume and make a stronger case for why you’re the right candidate for the job.

Include education and certifications

While sales is a results-driven field where experience often carries more weight than formal education, the education section of your sales resume still plays a key role. It shows hiring managers your background and any specialized knowledge that could give you an edge in the role.

If you have a degree in business, marketing, or a related field, list it clearly, along with the university name and graduation year. However, even if your degree isn’t directly related to sales, it still belongs on your resume. Many successful sales professionals come from diverse educational backgrounds, and employers value transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.

Beyond a degree, certifications can help strengthen your sales resume. They show that you’ve invested in learning and staying ahead in the industry. Certifications like HubSpot Inbound Sales, Sandler Sales Training, or a Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) credential can make you stand out, especially if you’re competing for a role with more experienced candidates.

If you’ve completed relevant courses in negotiation, sales techniques, or CRM software, those can also be worth mentioning. In a competitive job market, small details like a certification in Salesforce or Google Analytics can tip the scales in your favor.

Optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS)

You could have the perfect sales resume, but if it doesn’t pass an applicant tracking system (ATS), it may never reach a hiring manager. Many companies use ATS software to scan resumes for specific keywords before deciding which ones to review. Understanding how to structure your resume for these systems can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed.

Start by carefully reading the job description and identifying key terms related to the role. Words like “lead generation,” “pipeline management,” “B2B sales,” or “quota attainment” are often used as filters in ATS software. Incorporate these terms naturally throughout your resume, particularly in the skills and experience sections.

Formatting is also important. Avoid overly complex designs, columns, or graphics that can confuse the system. Stick to a clean, professional layout with clear headings and bullet points. Use standard section titles like “Work Experience,” “Skills,” and “Education” to ensure the ATS properly categorizes your information.

While optimizing for ATS is essential, don’t forget the human side. Once your sales resume passes the system, it still needs to engage the hiring manager. Striking the right balance between keyword optimization and compelling storytelling will make your resume both searchable and persuasive.

Keep it concise and visually appealing

A sales resume should be like a good pitch—clear, engaging, and straight to the point. Hiring managers often spend just a few seconds skimming each resume, so making yours easy to read is essential.

Ideally, your resume should be one page, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. For more experienced professionals, a two-page resume is acceptable, but every section should add value. Unnecessary details or long paragraphs can make hiring managers lose interest before they reach your strongest points.

The visual layout also plays a big role. Stick to a professional font like Arial or Calibri, and use consistent spacing to create a clean look. Bullet points make key details stand out, while strategic use of white space keeps the page from feeling cluttered.

Common mistakes to avoid include:

• Using overly decorative fonts or colors that make your resume hard to read
• Packing in too much text with no room for breaks
• Including irrelevant details, like unrelated jobs from years ago

A well-structured sales resume makes it easy for hiring managers to quickly find the information they need. When your resume looks polished and professional, it reflects well on you as a candidate.

Take a look at these resume templates for Word and resume templates for Google Docs:

Add a strong cover letter (optional but recommended)

Some job seekers skip the cover letter, assuming it’s unnecessary. While not every hiring manager reads them, a well-written cover letter can strengthen your application and make your sales resume even more impactful.

Think of your cover letter as an opportunity to personalize your application. While your resume lists achievements, your cover letter can explain why you’re excited about the role and how your experience aligns with the company’s goals. It’s your chance to tell a compelling story that connects your past successes to the specific needs of the employer.

For example, if the job posting emphasizes building long-term client relationships, you might open your cover letter with a brief story about how you turned a hesitant lead into a loyal customer. This kind of storytelling makes your application more memorable.

A strong cover letter should be:

• Tailored to the specific job and company
• No longer than one page
• Focused on how you can help the company, not just why you want the job

Even if a cover letter isn’t required, including one shows initiative and professionalism. It’s a small step that could give you an edge over other applicants.

Here are some Word cover letter templates as well as Google Docs cover letter templates that will work great for a salesperson. All templates are free and have a matching resume available.

Conclusion

Crafting a sales resume that stands out takes more than just listing job titles and skills. It’s about presenting yourself as a top performer who delivers results. From writing a compelling summary to showcasing achievements with real numbers, every section should reinforce why you’re the right fit for the job.

Remember to tailor your resume for each role, using relevant keywords to get past applicant tracking systems. Keep it visually appealing and concise, making it easy for hiring managers to quickly spot your strengths. If you take the extra step of adding a strong cover letter, you can make an even stronger impression.

The job market is competitive, but a well-structured, results-driven resume can help you stand out. Take the time to refine your sales resume, and you’ll increase your chances of landing interviews and moving forward in your career.